Freedom & Transformation Festival, Albania 2024

Freedom & Transformation festival in Albania during British Week 2024, 20 - 22 September.

A collaboration with EA Festival 

Programme co-curated with Lea Ypi.

Friday 20th September

20h: Welcome dinner in central Tirana

Saturday 21st September

9.30h: Depart Tirana city centre by private mini bus to Durrës, Lea Ypi’s

birthplace

10:30 - 12h: Guided walking tour of this ancient coastal town, including the

Roman Amphitheatre, Venetian Tower and ancient city walls. As a popular

seaside resort and Albania’s largest port, Durrës is a vibrant commercial

hub that is also full of history.

12:30 - 13:45h: Lunch with Lea Ypi and the Mayor of Durrës at Durrës’

Youth Cultural Centre, the site of the Freedom & Transformation festival.

14 - 18h: Freedom & Transformation Session

18:20h: Private transport back to Tirana

20h (optional): Speaker gala dinner in Durrës followed by a transfer back

to Tirana city centre (supplement £45; max. capacity: 20 pax)

Sunday 22nd September

9:30 - 14h: choice of two tours to be booked in advance

Historic city tour

The tour will begin with coffee and pastries at the Babel Bookshop and Café

newly opened in the iconic Pyramid. Arlinda Dudaj, bookshop owner and Lea

Ypi’s publisher, will host you and give you some insights into the literary

scene in Tirana. Afterwards, there will be a guided walking tour of the city

centre examining the country’s difficult history. Alongside the gem of Et’hem

Bey Mosque, one of the few ancient buildings in Tirana, you will see some

spectacularly original contemporary architecture. The tour will end with a

lunch close to the Opera House, the site of Freedom & Transformation’s

afternoon talks.

Art and Architecture Tour

The tour will begin with coffee and pastries at the centrally located Naan

Gallery where you will be given an introduction to the contemporary art

scene in Albania. There will be a guided tour of street and gallery art as well

as a close look at the contemporary architecture of the city. A visit to the

newly opened villa of Enver Hoxha, Albania’s last Communist dictator, will be

included. The tour will end with a lunch close to the Opera House.

15 - 18h Freedom & Transformation Session

PACKAGE SUMMARY

The cost of this weekend package is £350 per person and includes:

One dinner on Friday September 20th

Lunches on both days September 21st and 22nd

Morning coffee on September 22nd

All tours & transportation as listed in the Supplementary Programme for Overseas Visitors

Any entrance fees as part of the tours

All talks & events in the official Freedom & Transformation programme

An EA festival representative will be available in person and Whatsapp

throughout the programme.

Note that the maximum capacity for international visitors is 50

places, so we strongly recommend booking ASAP.

Where to stay

Rogner Hotel Tirana is where most of the guests will stay, but you're welcome to book elsewhere.

Fly to Tirana

There are direct flights from all London airports, various airlines.

___________________________

The organiser may modify the contents and timing of this programme at

its discretion.

The specific activities, events, tours, meals, transportation, et. al listed in

this programme cannot be purchased on an à la carte basis.

This supplementary programme has been created and organised by EA

Festival, solely, and is separate and independent of Freedom &

Transformation.